History of Swan SES

The Swan State Emergency Service was originally an important part of the Civil Defence in Western Australia.

The Volunteers of the Swan State Emergency Service cover a large local government area, and have always been very active in Bush Fire Support and as first responders during any of the major natural hazards in the area, in particular the effects of storms and localised flooding

When other State Emergency Service units and local governments require assistance during emergency events, the Volunteers of the Swan State Emergency Service Unit are one of the first to respond and field the required teams, whether it is for storm damage, cyclone response and recovery or a large search.

A number of the Volunteers have been deployed to places such as Exmouth, Port Hedland and Broome.

The support and assistance by Council, local Members of Parliament and the public generally, is not only greatly appreciated by the Volunteers but is the only way the Unit can operate and survive.

It is the camaraderie and the true altruistic nature of the Volunteers that makes the Swan State Emergency Service Unit what it is today, a well-respected, well trained and diversified unit.

There have been many Volunteers passing through this unit with some of those taking on major roles within FESA, Les Hayter, Manager Training, Paul Shakes and Tex McPherson – District Managers and Gordon Hall a FESA Director for over 12 years.

There have been a number of long standing members of the Unit including John Rybka, Deb Rybka, Deb Bartlett and Deb Hutchinson.